New Construction Minister appointed

The government has appointed Lord David Prior of Brampton as new construction minister this week. His wide-ranging brief will include infrastructure and construction policy, alongside industrial strategy and the EU single market.

Prior to the appointment, the conservative peer was a junior health minister – but was shuffled into the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy late last year.

Industry response seems to be largely positive. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, commented “We welcome the appointment of Lord Prior, whose combination of political and professional experience should leave him well placed to forge the strong, collaborative relationship that is needed between industry and government.

“It’s undoubtedly an exciting time for the construction sector as we respond to the opportunities and challenges which stem from the recommendations made by the recent Farmer and Bonfield reviews. We are also in the midst of the government’s review of CITB [Construction Industry Training Board], the outcome of which will decide the future of our industry training board.

“We look forward to working with the new minister and ensuring that he understands fully the perspective of the small and micro construction firms which make up the vast bulk of our industry.”